Fast forward to Jan. 26, 2005... Our original dr. who removed the AVM the first time (the older and more experienced Dr. B) asked us if we would be ok with him being our Dr. through this. We were more than happy too! It isn't that we didn't like the other one, it is just that we have known and trusted our son's life with this Dr. B. We feel more comfortable with him and his decisions.
So here we go, BACK to the city again, a 4 hour drive one way, mind you; to see the nerve specialist. We had to be there at 9 am. OMGosh, what a day! LOL We had to get up at 3 am just so we would be there on time (can we say RUSH HOUR traffic?!?!). Anyway... he took a look at Caleb and the location of the AVM. He felt confident that the AVM was *not* around any facial nerves, and even if it was close to any, it would be the ones that involved the brow. That relieved me tremendously!!!
Then we went to Dr. B's office (they figured since we were already there in town, we could see him as well). I was so happy!!! So Dr. B came in to see Caleb. He looked at the area, and then at Caleb's chart and said, "Oh this is going to be a simple operation (in comparison to previous ones *S*). The recurrance is not around any nerves, so we will just go in here, and remove it. Then we will try to minimize the scar while we are in there." Let me tell you, I could have hugged that man right then and there!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't, but I sure could have! LOL
In fact, Dr. B said that he was a little surprised that Caleb could move his brow on the right side of his face anyway (from the removal of the previous AVM). Well, let me tell you, that day made my ENTIRE month! *S* See, *if* they are able to minimize that scar enough, that would save us 2 more surgeries, a LOT of extra driving, and even more importantly, it would save us time! It would save time because there would be less healing from extra surgeries! So our prayers include a successful removal (and final removal) of the AVM, AND that the scar will be able to be minimized! *S*
The plans at this moment include getting the surgery schedule. That will take some doing because we will have to go in to get the AVM embolized first, then 24 - 72 hours later, we will have to go back in for the actual surgery to remove it. Once Caleb heals up from that, we are hopeful that he will be able to go in and get his prosthetic ear at that point. Can you imagine? We might be on the downhill side of this now! :)
I will update here more as things happen. It has just been really quiet on this front until just a couple of months ago. And I have to admit, I was really hoping to have some good news before starting into this all again! *S*
Now for just a bit of momma ramblings here... about a week ago, on Jan. 24, 2005, we were watching the Discovery Channel. I love watching the plastic surgery shows. I have actually watched a couple of the procedures that Caleb has had done, which is interesting. Anyway, this particular show was called Medical Miracles (or something like that). It had a young man on there, 23 years old, who's nose was really huge (large and very red). He also had a large bump (red) on his forehead as well. I was intrigued with the story when they first showed it in the commercials. I didn't know why. Well, it turned out this young man had an AVM on his face. What was horrifying was the fact that his family went through the same thing we did with the pediatrician misdiagnosing it. His family didn't have insurance, and since the Dr. said that it was nothing to worry about, they just left it at that. It was a plastic surgeon who diagnosed it, and amazingly, at 23 years old, this young man had his nose and part of his forehead removed. They made him a prosthetic nose, and the difference was amazing! I admit, that story gave me hope. Hope that one day this will all be behind us, and Caleb will have a normal life. :) I just had to share that!
